Quaker Campus Volume 25, Issue 3

QUAKER CAMPUS Oct. 1, 2026

The voice of Whittier College since 1914

Volume 25 — Issue 3

Be the Change: President Dillon & Ken Woods into enrolled students, the admissions team completely changed how they invite students to experience the campus. “Getting somebody on campus makes the likelihood of them enrolling go up exponentially,” Wood said. “Whittier’s a beautiful campus. People do not understand that while we are in East Los Angeles, this little jewel of campus sits up in the foothills.” President Dillon echoed how important campus visits and visual connections are for prospective families: “Getting the ones who have been admitted here to campus, now that is huge for us. It really matters for someone who thinks they might be interested and would actually come to the College." For out-of-state students who cannot visit immediately, Dillon highlighted using online drone videos and virtual views so students living in places like Minnesota can see campus life during winter. Instead of hosting just one big preview day in the fall like most colleges do, the College switched to hosting several smaller more specialized events centered on specific majors. “The philosophy behind that is to hit students where they live, [and] get that emotional connection,” Woods noted. These specialized events include things like a dinner and play performance with the Theatre Department, business lectures with faculty members like

decision days to places like Whittier advanced degrees are so important for High, Sante Fe High, and El Rancho long-term growth.” High, meeting directly with students Dillon similarly explained that to tell them, “You have a place at while trade certificates led to quick Whittier.” job placement, a liberal arts education Counselors also travel to conduct gives students the broader problemapplication sessions in Northern solving skills needed to advance over California, Hawaii, Nevada, and a lifetime: “If they want to rise above Arizona, while digital tools like the that trade school experience, meaning EdSights artificial intelligence (AI) that they come out and they are chatbot also known as Johnny Poet certified to be an electrician, but they on campus can help students with want to run their own country and do any questions day or night. not have the skills needed.” Bringing back sports programs To directly connect classroom has also played a huge role in learning with career preparation, rebuilding the student body. Dillon introduced Whittier Works. Today, student athletes make up This initiative works alongside about 45 percent of the incoming the faculty’s new curriculum that freshman class and 40 percent of all requires hands-on experiential undergraduate students. “Bringing learning across four years which back football brought in about 100 connects students to paid internships athletes. Lacrosse brought in about and community projects. Dillon 15 students,” Woods shared. explained how Whittier Works Courtesy of Whittier College President Dillon explained that aligns with the curriculum and bringing back Men’s Lacrosse as a club alumni expectations: “I did not Class sizes at Whittier College are increasing every year. sport in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse invent something on top of the Paola Ruiz an alum who spent nearly 30 years Division Association (MCLA) solved curriculum that fights with it; it is NEWS EDITOR consulting college admissions on major scheduling issues that existed trying to pull that intention of the the College Board. A major reason when it was a NCAA Division III new curriculum into something When President Kristine Dillon ‘73 applications have increased so quickly team: “Bringing it back as a club sport students and donors understand and Vice President for Enrollment is the College’s early decisions to meant we did not have students out […] I want our students to know Ken Woods ‘84 returned to their use direct admission programs. By of class to be heading for a Division those are just rarefied things; those alma mater in the summer of 2023, partnering with platforms such as III competition with a very small are opportunities.” Whittier College was navigating a Niche and the Common App, the school in Arizona [...] The things I For example, the Civic Scholars period of critical transition. Following admissions team reaches out directly heard from the faculty were, ‘We do program supports students who the disruptions of the pandemic, to high school students who meet not dislike having a lacrosse team, are passionate about community budget realignments, and the certain criteria. we dislike having our students out of service with scholarships and places controversial elimination of several The school sends these students class for so much time.’” them in internships at City Hall, athletic programs in late 2022, the a message letting them know why Both leaders also emphasized local hospitals like PIH Health or student body numbers had dropped regional transit planning projects below 600. Alumni connections with LA Metro. Other projects weakened, while colleges nationwide include the campus Coffee Orchid had growing concerns about higher “I was among those alumni that felt worried [...] We were in a run by Dr. Cincia Fissore, and a education, including the approaching required senior capstone project demographic cliff caused by the deep valley after COVID-19 and the 2022 cuts, but we are climbing where every graduating student shrinking high school graduating presents their research. classes. back up, and I am glad to be part of bringing the school back.” To make sure incoming President Dillon recalled, “I was students get the personal support among those alumni that felt worried they need as the student body - President Kristine Dillon [...] We were in a deep valley after grows, the College relies on faculty COVID-19 and the 2022 cuts, but mentorship and technology to we are climbing back up, and I am catch issues early on. Professors can glad to be part of bringing the school they are already accepted and offers Professor Fantos, and Model United that the athletics staff keeps academic submit CARE forms if a student back.” them merit scholarships before they Nations (UN) demonstrations hosted expectations high for players. Dillion stops coming to class and the Now, three years into their work fill out a traditional application. Vice by Political Science professor, Mike praised the football coaching staff’s EdSights testing system checks in on together, the direction of the College President Woods pointed out how McBride. values, noting: “They knew that the how students are feeling about their has changed completely. Overall much this changed applications for Dillon emphasized that this coach was expecting them to get good classes or financial situations. enrollment has grown by almost 40 the College: “When I first got here, approach showcases the College’s grades. He [Coach White] said that to Dillon noted that these tools percent, rising from under 600 to we had to increase applications. signature strength which are the them all the time [...] too many times, allow the College to maintain nearly 900, with a clear goal of passing We had a decision process where personal relationships between football players are stereotyped as like its individual care while keeping the 1,000 student mark in the next somebody would come in and we faculty and students: “Here we have they do not really care about school, administrative costs manageable: academic school year. This recovery would admit them on the spot, we faculty who came to teach at Whittier they just want to play this sport. He “We are trying to use that as a way to started with a short-range strategic plan had the Common App and then there College because it is a more engaged has made a real point of saying, ‘I do say, we cannot afford to keep adding created by President Dillon during her was direct admission [...] In fact, this relationship with students. They like not want that to be the stereotype for administrative personnel budget, but first summer in office. year we had over 7,000 applicants, the idea that students come to them football players.’” we can use technology to get that The plan focused on two main and a majority of those were direct and say, ‘I love biology, but I do not Alongside the recruitment personalized solution.” goals to bring financial stability back admissions." really want to be a doctor. What other efforts, the College is also addressing Driven by the College’s new to the school: growing enrollment, Both Dillon and Woods things can I do?’ [...] They are going the national trend of more young branding tagline “Illuminating and increase alumni and donor explained that direct admissions to sit down and talk to you about people choosing trade schools or Potential,” Dillon and Woods hope to support. “Developing that strategic work differently than traditional that. That is a distinctive difference.” short-term technical certificates over bring 500 new first-year and transfer plan in the summer of 2023 has been applications because students can get To reach students living a traditional college degree. Woods, students each year while keeping the guiding where we are trying to go accepted to numerous colleges all at outside of Southern California, who runs a small construction campus community closely connected. and how we are going to get there,” once. “For every 100 Common Apps, the admissions team created a fly- company after retiring from the “President Dillon and I live on explained Dillon. “We are not talking we will get about 12 or 13 deposits,” in voucher program, offering a College Board, recognized the value campus, eat at the [Campus Inn] about 20 years out in the future; we Woods explained. “For every 100 $3,000 flight voucher to out-of-state of trade jobs, but highlighted the CI and attend the athletics and are talking about what it is going admissions, I might get three or four prospective students who hold a 4.0 long-term career benefits of a college events on campus because that is to take to get us back to a balanced deposits just because kids get a lot GPA or higher so they can see the degree: “The trades are important. I what Whittier is,” Woods reflected. budget and a viable college.” more offers.” campus in person. At the same time, pay my carpenters $100,000 a year “Helping kids find a pathway into To lead the enrollment side of the To help turn those direct admissions counselors started visiting to build a house […] So trades are college and succeed is a personal plan, Dillon brought in Ken Woods, admissions and general applications local high schools again to run instant needed, but that four year degree and mission for me.”

Index:

News — 1, 2, 3, | Campus Life — 4, 5 | Opinions — 6 | Features — 7 | Sports — 8, 9 | Arts & Entertainment — 10, 11, 12

NEWS

2

Oct. 1, 2026

Students Struggle to Keep up With Gas Prices

drivers like Kamholz, the joy of driving is significantly dampened by the price of doing so. "Last time it was $108 to fill my tank," she shared. Although she lives on campus, Kamholz depends on her car to get to work. “My work is 30 minutes away, I get scheduled for work three days a week.” The cost of these repeated trips takes a toll, leaving her frustrated with the current local market. California historically has had higher gas prices compared to the rest of the nation. For one, it is isolated from the national pipeline network. This forces a reliance on expensive marine tankers for crude oil.

According to the California Energy Commission (CEC), several local environmental fees and supply constraints push these baseline costs even higher. To fight air pollution, the state mandates a unique, cleanerburning blend via the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which few out-of-state refineries can produce. On top of that, drivers face immense financial pressure at the pump from state taxes; the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) collects a daunting excise tax of 63.4 cents per gallon. And while autumn usually ushers in cheaper, seasonal winter-blend gasoline for

Californians and the rest of the nation alike, the ongoing war with Iran—initiated by joint U.S.-Israeli strikes authorized by President Donald Trump on Feb. 28,—have kept global oil markets highly volatile. The conflict has triggered a severe global supertanker shortage, driving rates for the marine charters that California depends on to surpass 1.2 million dollars a day according to Seeking Alpha’s Tanker Marker Report, keeping local pump prices at historic highs. “I just wish gas wasn’t over five dollars,” Kamholz concluded. Commuting students are all too familiar with this balancing act. With a 20-minute drive to campus, first-year Ricky Catano expressed concern over the competing pressures of school and inflation. “Trying to exhibit academic success while trying to also manage gas prices takes a toll,” Catano said. Others said it is not only affecting their academic pursuits, but their social connections too. Third-year Victoria Hamilton said, “I have a five hour break and I feel like I am just wasting gas if I come home for four hours and go back. Or if I need to go home because there is an event later, I am going to be using so much gas going back and forth.” Because she feels restricted in her mobility due to these high prices, it makes her second guess attending campus events. “I feel like the gas prices are affecting my personal life, and being

to the student body gathered their perspectives on the recent weather, campus facilities, changing weather patterns, and climate change. Among survey respondents, 60 percent were first-year students, 20 percent were second-year students, and 20 percent were third-year students. In terms of gender identity, 80 percent identified as female, while 20 percent preferred not to say.

The respondents identified as 40 percent Hispanic and/or Latino, 20 percent Middle Eastern, 20 percent Asian and/or Pacific Islander, and 40 percent Black and/or African American. All respondents identified said that they had noticed an increase in temperature outside during the previous weeks and a change in humidity. In addition, all

respondents are currently living on campus. Temperatures rose to nearly 108 degrees, recalls a first-year student, who identifies as a Middle Eastern female. Other respondents reported that the temperature was in the 100 to 104 degree range. Sixty percent of respondents said that they were astonished by the temperatures, while 40 percent

As gas prices increase, so are student's worries about filling up their tank. Tralee Jacobs OPINIONS EDITOR Los Angeles County drivers faced a painful spike in late Sept. 2026, as regular gasoline prices surged to $6.26 per gallon— nearly $1.80 above the national average. The rise was brutal in its continuity, lasting for more than 35 consecutive days. Whittier College students bear this burden behind the wheel. First-year student Kenzie Kamholz, for example, is experiencing the impact of this economic shift just as she enters adulthood. "Wow, when I was a kid, gas was three dollars, and as soon as I have a car and can drive it goes way up." For young

Courtesy of CNBC

involved in the community.” When asked about how much Hamilton spends on gas, she replied “I spend about 90 dollars to fill up my gas, and I have to fill it up every two weeks, so it’s affecting me a lot.” Second-year student Syd Salas also feels the psychological strain. “I definitely look at that fuel gauge more than anything when I drive home, and when I drive to work, and when I drive to school,” Salas said. For Salas, filling up has become a primary financial burden. “Most of my paycheck just goes to gas.” Consequently, the rising costs have begun to erode his social life. “It limits the amount of fun I have outside of school and work.” Even short trips offer little financial relief; though Salas only faces a 10 minute commute, he notes that, “10 minutes here, 10 minutes there, it adds up surprisingly fast.” That compounding financial stress is a common sentiment across campus. Second-year student Isabelle Kruidhof recalled reaching a breaking point. “I mean, I hate to say it, but one time I did cry over the fact that I had to refill my gas again.” With Los Angeles County prices holding stubbornly high above the national average, the financial pressure on the Whittier College community stays grave. From skipped campus events to tears at the pump, there is no denying the local impact of the fuel crisis.

said they were not. Furthermore, all of the students agreed that this type of high temperature was not usual during the middle to late September; they rated the weather as being “very warm,” comparing the heat to that of last year. The students’ experiences came during a period of extreme heat across SoCal.

Poets Process El Niño and Climate Change Paola Ruiz NEWS EDITOR As Southern California (SoCal) experiences periods of extreme heat and humidity, Whittier College students notice unusually high temperatures, difficulty staying cool, and concerns about air conditioning on campus. A survey conducted by the Quaker Campus and sent

THE QUAKER CAMPUS STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emma Galvan

A&E EDITOR Emma Cianciola

DEPUTY EDITOR & MANAGING EDITOR Penelope Turgen

CO-HEAD COPY EDITORS Yen Tran Daniel Gomez

NEWS EDITOR Paola Ruiz OPINIONS EDITOR Tralee Jacobs CO-SPORTS EDITORS Maia Chaidez Jayden Borgna CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR Jamie Calderon FEATURES EDITOR Xochitl Hood

SOCIAL MEDIA Jaime Calderon STAFF WRITERS Steven Lopez Rhodree Gonzalez Ernesto Hernandez San Cuellar Aster Hjelm Aubrey Proano-Keeler Lucianda Frates Chase Byer Kaila Mitike Angelica Lavorin

COPY EDITORS Kaj Behr Bissama Melone Aaliyah Mallory Selina Lin GRAPHIC DESIGNER Abbie Almanza CARTOONISTS Tallahassee Quontology PHOTOGRAPHERS Karen Martinez Aguilar Maryam Zorba Bhoomi Kapadia Lee Rivera WEB DESIGNER Malena Lodi FACULTY ADVISOR Joseph Donnelly

Cont. on pg. 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Submissions may be emailed to qc@poets.whitttier.edu in .doc or .docx format. Submissions must include the author’s name and year of graduation or position at the college in the signature. Letters are due by Monday at 5 p.m. to make it into that week’s issue. Submissions should be no more than 500 words. Submissions will undergo the same editing process from our production pipeline if selected. All stories must follow the same journalistic standards. Due to the high cost of publication, members of the Whittier College community are permitted three copies per issue. Additional copies may be purchased with prior apporval for 50 cents each by contacting the Quaker Campus. Newspaper theft is a crime, and those who violate the three copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution. The Quaker Campus does not change material posted on online articles once they have been published in the paper — with the exception of an error being found. Only then will a correction be made to the online version. The Quaker Campus is a publication of Whittier College. Columns and Signed editorials do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Whittier College or its affiliates.

Oct. 1, 2026 El Niño from pg. 2 The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an Extreme Heat Warning for portions of Los Angeles County and the San Gabriel Valley earlier in Sept., forecasting temperatures between 92 and 108 degrees. The agency also warned that humid conditions could add to heat discomfort and that “heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events.” The unusual temperatures were also accompanied by high humidity. CBS News Los Angeles reported that SoCal experienced several days of unusually high humidity in Sept., with the NWS describing the conditions as “sticky tropical air.” Students were asked whether they were able to find places to cool off while on campus. Sixty percent said yes, 20 percent said maybe, and 20 percent said no. Students also reported that they found ways to deal with the heat. All students suggested

NEWS

looking for a cooler place to rest, others suggested using water to cool down. For some respondents, however, staying cool was complicated by problems with air conditioning. One first-year student who identifies as a Hispanic and/or Latino female shared that their dorm’s AC was not working properly and they had to contact their Resident Assistant (RA) to fix it. A second-year student who identifies as Asian and/or Pacific Islander and Black and/or African American stated that they had not reported any issues to anyone on campus, but, “I think the [campus] facilities should be improved, especially since we pay a lot for tuition. Especially in the older buildings that lack or do not have as much strong AC like the music building.” Students were also asked whether they believed that recent weather could affect the colder seasons of the year, including potentially bringing

Courtesy of Los Angeles Times Students are having trouble keeping up with the heat.

heavier rain or strong winds. All respondents said yes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (NOOA), El Niño is strengthening, with a greater than 90 percent chance of a very strong event during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter of 2026-27. NOAA also reported a 75 percent chance of a historic event during Oct. through Dec. that would exceed the strength of previous El Niño events dating back to 1950. While El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern, research suggests that human-caused climate change can influence the conditions surrounding extreme El Niño events. A 2024 study published in Nature found that greenhouse warming can create conditions that increase the likelihood of extreme El Niño events. Researchers found that warming can weaken the Walker circulation, a major atmospheric circulation pattern over the tropical Pacific, while strengthening ocean-atmosphere interactions that contribute to the development of extreme El Niño events. Another study published in Nature Communications examined the influence of human caused warming on El Niño events over recent decades. Researchers found that anthropogenic warming contributed to approximately one additional extreme El Niño event and two additional Central Pacific El Niño events since the 1980s. However, researchers found that natural climate variability remained an important contributor. The distinction is important because climate change does not directly cause El Niño. Instead, research

3 suggests that a warming climate can alter the background conditions in which El Niño develops, potentially influencing the frequency and intensity of extreme events. Some survey respondents made similar connections between the heat, El Niño and climate change. When asked what they believed was causing the recent increase in temperatures, responses varied. One student attributed the increase to a heat wave, while another said they believed they were simply “not used to California heat.” Another student responded, “Global warming?” while a secondyear student connected the weather to climate change and El Niño, writing that climate change has “effected the severity of the El Niño patterns” and mentioning greenhouse gas emissions. The conditions have raised concerns about coastal flooding and erosion, which could continue into the winter. The California Coastal Commissions reports that El Niño conditions can bring “higher sea levels, bigger waves, more frequent and intense storms, and increased rainfall.” TheRuiz Los Angeles Times also Paola reported that strong El Niño NEWS EDITOR conditions, high tides, and long-term sea-level rise could increase coastal flooding risks this fall and winter. U.S. Geological Survey research cited by the LA Times found that warmer offshore waters associated with El Niño can temporarily raise California Coastal water levels. While the City of Whittier is inland, El Niño can have a broader effect across SoCal, including winter storms that bring flooding, debris overflow, and transportation disruptions. However, a strong El

Niño does not guarantee a wet winter nor does it determine how much rain an individual city will receive. Climate change was also a concern among survey respondents, with all saying it should be taken seriously. When asked whether students consider climate change when thinking about their futures, 40 percent said yes, 40 percent said no, and 20 percent said maybe. One respondent said, “Many don’t realize the gravity of the situation,” while another said students are “not well informed.” Respondents also connected climate change to pollution, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and fossil fuels. Students were also asked whether climate change would affect their voting decisions. One first-year student was unsure because it would be their first time voting, while another said severe weather would influence their decision. “If we are experiencing more severe climate events, we are likely to experience more severe events over the years,” the student wrote. Respondents also supported continued conversations about climate change. One called it “very important,” while another described it as “a serious problem that has been harming not only our environment but the living organisms on our planet as well.” As scientists examine how climate change could alter El Niño, SoCal could face higher tides, coastal flooding, erosion, large waves, and changes in winter rainfall. For Whittier College students, the changing weather is already being felt through unusually high temperatures, humidity, and air-conditioning problems on campus.

Trump Revives Tariff War with Canada Steven Lopez STAFF WRITER

During Donald Trump’s second term as the President of the United States, the U.S.-Canada relations deteriorated to a level not seen since the 1930s. Beginning in Feb. 2025, Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, citing illegal migration and drug trafficking, including fentanyl. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, Trump temporarily paused the tariffs after Canada promised greater cooperation, but it continued and took effect on March 4. Canada responded with tariffs on more than $100 billion in U.S. goods, prompting weeks of retaliatory measures. In March 2025, Trump stated, “The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished 51st State. This would make all tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear…” In response, Canadian businesses began a nationwide boycott of American products. In Jan. 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the U.S. at the World Economic Forum in Davos, stating, “We are in the midst of a rupture [...] Canada was amongst the first to hear the wakeup call, leading us to fundamentally shift our strategic posture.” Trump responded by revoking Canada’s

invitation to join the Board of Peace, a U.S. led United Nations backed organization tasked with stabilizing and rebuilding Gaza. In Aug. 2026, the U.S. and Canada abandoned trade negotiations after the U.S. introduced last-minute changes that Carney called “unfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal.” Trump reiterated his call for Canada to join the U.S. and increased tariffs on Canadian vehicles, lumber, aluminum, and steel up to 50 percent. Carney retaliated by pledging to match the tariffs “dollar for dollar,” beginning Sept. 8. Fo l l ow i n g t h e f a i l e d negotiations, Canadian commentator and former CBS Radio Host Todd Maffin launched Main Street Canada on Aug. 24, a video project showcasing small Canadian businesses affected by the tariffs. On Aug. 27, Trump issued an Executive Order directing the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America.” Carney rejected the change, writing on X that Lake Ontario’s name comes from the Wendat word Ontari’io and predates both Canadian Confederation and the U.S. Declaration of Independence. He concluded, “Canadians also know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario then, now and

always." Amid the dispute, Canada increasingly shifted its economic relationships toward Europe and other countries. On Sept. 16, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered Canada “Associate Membership” in the European Union, the first such offer to a country outside Europe. In a Sept. 23 interview with the New York Times, Carney stated that Canada was “preparing” for the possibility of a U.S. invasion, though he provided no further details. Deborah Norden, Professor of Political Science, said that Canada “has always been a really important partner for the United States, very key trading partner because of proximity and size, but also because of political alignment; two strong democracies in the region.” She said that the U.S. engaging in conflict with Canada is unprecedented. The U.S., Canada, and Mexico are connected to each other through the USMCA trade agreement, the successor to NAFTA, which promises free trade. Threatening tariffs breaks with precedent and breaks with U.S. interest. When looking at Trump’s foreign policy, Nordern says that he is, “Coming into this as a businessman, and he sees these relationships in terms of deals and

what you can win […] pressuring other countries hopefully to get a better deal […] better terms of trade […] so you put on tariffs […] in the hopes of getting something in return.” Norden says that Trump is seeking allies, “Not so much […] between our country and other countries, Trump is seeking friends in leadership, and so when there are people in leadership positions he doesn't consider friends or personally aligned to him, there’s also pushback.” Norden also says, “As a consequence […] Canada, like other countries we’ve been pushing in that way, looks to strengthen its trade relations and ties with other countries, for protection, for their own economy,” claims Norden. These countries are moving away from the U.S. instead of giving it what it wants. Even if these countries are giving into Trump’s demands in the short term, they are looking outside the U.S. for other partners, like what Canada is doing with the EU. “The U.S. is no longer reliable; we’ll look over there.” Norden also mentioned that Trump’s attacks have led to a rise in Canadian Nationalism, with Canadians showing pride in their nation, boycotting U.S. products and only buying Canadian products, supporting local businesses, and supporting the Canadian Government’s retaliatory

tariffs against the U.S. She goes on to say that some of the changes from Trump’s policies will be enduring. “Counties, companies within counties, are going to find new places to buy from. They’re looking for new markets, […] they’re not gonna shift back to the U.S. because there’s an immediate change in policy. Those shifts become longterm, and the U.S. becomes less reliable.” She thinks that, due to Canada’s proximity and closeness, there will be an interest in coming back to the tight relationship with the U.S. if the U.S. becomes democratic. Democracy in the U.S. has fallen so much that various Democracy indexes, such as V-Dem and Freedom House, have the U.S. listed as just on the border of Democracy and Authoritarianism. If the U.S. becomes more Democratic, which does not happen overnight, it will become a more reliable partner. Norden continues, “[...] maybe 10-20 years from now, that relationship could be restored, if that’s the direction that the U.S. has moved […] if you get that alignment of political systems […] then you already have a shared economic interest in trading. That would be my interest, certainly not immediately it would go back, but potentially, eventually.”

CAMPUS LIFE

4

What’s up, Whittier?

Stay up to date on events! For further info, visit https://whittier. campuslabs.com/Engage/ Understanding Immigration Law with Guest Speaker Mercedes Castillo • Thursday, Oct. 1 at 12:30 P.M. • Platner Hall 202 Poet Pantry • Thursday, Oct. 1 at 12:30 P.M. • Campus Center, Room 141 Fellowship Info Session • Thursday, Oct. 1 at 5 P.M. • Library Instructonal Space Black Poetry Night • Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6 P.M. • Club 88 The Housing Crisis in Los Angeles: Analysis and Solutions • Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6 P.M. • Hartley House Poet Musicale • Friday, Oct. 1 at 6 P.M. • Memorial Chapel AOKP Kings Tournament • Saturday, Oct. 3 at 11 A.M. • Upper Quad Drawin' Together • Monday, Oct. 5 at 4 P.M. • Upper Quad Information Session for Faculty-Led May-Term Course in Hawaii • Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 12:30 P.M. • SLC 309 Pet Therapy • Thursday, Oct. 6 at 1 P.M. • Founder's Hill Lawn Fall 2026 MMUF Info Session • Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 5 P.M. • Library Instructional Space Poet Pantry • Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 12:30 P.M. • Campus Center, Room 141 Pet Therapy • Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 3 P.M. • Dezember House Patio Deep Time In The Mono Lake Basin: Exploring 10,000 Years of Environmental History with Robert B. Marks • Wednesday, Oct. 7. at 4:30 P.M. • Hoover Hall 205

Democra-See It To Democra-Be It! Tralee jacobs OPINIONS EDITOR

Democracy thrives on open conversation, and Political Science professor Dr. Sara Angevine is turning that belief into action right here on the Whittier campus. T h e Po l i t i c a l S c i e n c e professor is hosting "Democracy, C o m m u n i t y, a n d C i v i c a l l y Engaged Research," a lecture series dedicated to the power of active citizenship. The series features a total of 10 lectures, which take place at Hartley House every Thursday. Located at the top of Earlham Drive across from the Graham Athletic Center (GAC), the house opens its doors at 6 p.m., with the lectures running from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Angevine recognizes the importance of building routines for the community, aiming to create a consistent space that students can rely on. “I really wanted to create programs that were targeted towards the civic scholars, but also connected to my own passion for engaging people in community; thinking about democratic values when it is hard to have optimism and hope.” Angevine said. And that conversation has already begun, with the lecture titled "The Future of Democracy in the Age of AI" that happened on Sept. 10. The event featured Whittier alumn Erin Clancy, a global policy director for Meta. Throughout the discussion, Clancy highlighted the eyepopping statistic that Meta hosts a staggering three billion users, while noting that a large part of her specific role involves terrorism prevention. "That is a very powerful decision-making position," Angevine commented. Clancy also spent time reflecting on the enduring value of a liberal arts education, praising the College for providing a well-rounded foundation that prepares students for an unpredictable future. "She is a very proud alum," Angevine recalled. One other lecture has passed on Sept. 24. While all other

Political Science Professor, Dr. Sara Angevine lectures are at Hartley House, this particular lecture served as a unique exception, taking place in Villalobos Hall. Titled "The Legal Side of Content Creation," the panel featured successful alumni, including entertainment attorney April Paredes, who moderated the discussion, and Brownie Sibrian, founder of the production company "Fresh Brownie." They were joined by guest panelist Virginia Novello, an actress, director, and podcast host. Members of the Whittier Bar Association were also in attendance, providing students with a valuable opportunity to network, mingle, and build professional connections before and after the event. And as if feasting on wise words and good conversation was not enough, this lecture—and all the others to come—always include complimentary refreshments for all to enjoy. The following lecture takes place on Oct. 1, with a lecture from another accomplished alumni, Ian Costello, who serves as a Senior Data Analyst for Community Housing Solutions. He will be joined by UCI researcher Nichole Gideon to present "The Housing Crisis in Los Angeles: Analysis and Solutions." When it comes to guest

speakers, Angevine said “For leadership development and empowerment there is this kind of phrase: See it to be it.” For students to not only see successful alumni of the college they attend, but to be able to converse and connect with them is a very powerful thing. “I always find it so inspiring to meet these alumn.” Angevine agreed. Scheduled for Oct. 15, the lecture "The Judicial Branch: Still the Safeguard of US Democracy?" will feature former LA Times journalist Robert Greene alongside the college's own Dr. Neil Cogan. Having a campus faculty member lead the event is a major highlight, especially given that Dr. Cogan's work has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court. "He's quite an expert, and I don't think that everyone knows that," remarked Angevine. The series continues on Oct. 29 with "States of Emergency: Reflections on Leadership, Civic Engagement, and Cultivating Pe r s o n a l a n d C o m m u n i t y Resilience" featuring Alexis Moreno. On Nov. 5, Dr. Sara Angevine herself and campaign consultant and alumn Erika Morales will present "2026 Midterm Elections and Current State of US Electorate

Fellowship Info Session • Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 5 P.M. • Library Instructional Space Poet Pantry • Thursday, Oct. 8 at 12:30 P.M. • Campus Center, Room 141 Drawin' Together • Monday, Oct. 12 at 4 P.M. • Dezember House Halloween Movie Night! • Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7 P.M. • Turner Movie Room Poet Pantry • Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 12:30 P.M. • Campus Center, Room 141

Oct. 1, 2026

Hartley House, location of Dr. Sara Angevine's series.

Courtesy of Whittier College

Courtesy of Whittier College Analysis." Reflecting on a practice held at her graduate school where they would have breakfast after elections to discuss results. “I just really wanted to hold space for that.” Angegive said. The Nov. 12 session will showcase the Civically Engaged Research (CER) Project Presentations by the Whittier College Civic Scholars. O n N o v . 1 9 , Dr. Deborah Norden and immigration attorney Mercedes Castillo will discuss "ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement): A Global and Local Perspective." The Dec. 3 event features Dr. Ivy Cargile of CSU Bakersfield alongside alumn Karen Romero, ABD, presenting "Representation: Gender, Race, and Political Party in State Government." Finally, the schedule concludes on Dec. 10 with "Community, Reflectin, ans Connection." Angevine is looking to continue this practice in the spring, and is open to ideas and student input. If you have a topic or lecture in mind, don't hesitate to reach out to Angevine. But as for now, there are already many experts to look forward to, and though the topics can feel large, the environment is that of a living room discussion. “As we talk about the rise of all this isolation, alienation, authoritarianism, and xenophobia, most research points to the value and importance of local community,” she explains that one goal of this series is about “seeing the college as a good citizen in the community.” Because of that, she emphasizes that showing up in person is entirely worth the time. “There is no substitute for face-to-face contact. These are opportunities that you will only have once, so if you can, make it a priority. You do not know what you’d get out of it until you go,” Angevine concludes. This is an incredible opportunity for students, and it would be so smart to take it. So go, face-to-face, Thursday nights at the Hartley house, for a once-in-alifetime conversation.

Oct. 1, 2026

CAMPUS LIFE

5

Program Board Gets Wild On Pyramid Lake Maryam Zorba STAFF WRITER For the Program Board’s first off-campus event of the year, nine students undertook a camping trip to Pyramid Lake. On Saturday, Sept. 19, students met by the Campus Inn parking lot and packed up for the trip. The students were chaperoned by OSE Assistant Director, Candice Uy and Assistant Director for Veteran Student Services and Enrollment, Ariela Romero. Students drove across LA County, beyond Santa Clarita, and settled on a campground by Alamo Mountain. Arriving at 2:20 p.m., there was a fire pit, a grill, and several picnic tables lined up awaiting us. Trees dotted the surrounding California landscape. Deer and fawns watch curiously as students set up tents, supplies, and chairs. As the sun was setting, the group visited the nearby Visita Del Lago Visitor Center, which is right by the shore of Pyramid Lake. Inside the center were small exhibits and models revolving around the subject of conservation, such as water structures and nearby wildlife. The outside platform of the center overlooked the lake, and Chumash Island. Photos were taken, and students took turns peering through the center’s spotting scope. A lookout tower in the woodlands on the other side of the lake was

magnified in the scope’s view. Students returned to the camping site to start on dinner and other activities. Some students huddle around to paint portraits of one another, while others engage in a game of giant UNO cards. At some point, the group tosses water balloons back and forth. Uy, Romero, fourth-year Bedder Zaza, and second-year Jordan Torrente man the grill, combating the fire’s flames to feed hungry mouths while also wielding headband flashlights in the night’s darkness. There was a variety of foods for dinner—freshly cooked burgers, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruits, chips, and drinks. Once finished, a fire as started in the fire pit, and students sat around the campfire to discuss their life in and out of the College while eating s’mores. Away from the light pollution of the city, the students were able to enjoy how bright the stars are at Los Alamos. As midnight approached, the time arrived for everyone to go to the tents and sleep. After having spent an evening, night, and now morning at Los Alamos, Zaza and Torrente shared about their experience on the trip while they seared eggs, beef patties, and croissant buns on the grill for breakfast. “I thought camping would be really cool and fun, and we work in the Office of Inclusive Excellence. ” Torrente shares about what brought him out to the lake. “I got invited by Jordan,

and I like camping, and if I don’t have to pay for driving, and other people are coming, I’d like to join. Being outdoors—the common collectiveness of being outside the city—has its benefits,” Zaza shares. Both students expressed that they would return if the trip was held again, a sentiment shared by other participants. Third-year and Program Board member Darreionna Roche shared that this event was a long time coming. Originally planned for last year, the trip was shelved when logistics could not hold up. But Roche is glad students were able to enjoy it this time around. “Just fun and community. I feel like we’re all overwhelmed academically [. . .] I feel like leaders need an opportunity to relax and a chance

to recharge,” comments Roche about what she hopes students gained from the experience. Kaila Mitike, another Program Board member and first-year student shared Roche’s sentiment of providing fun community building events for students, “I hope they really enjoy it, because we want to continue doing more interactive events, and this is a good example of one." Many students on the trip, like Torrente and Roche, had never gone camping before, so it was a great opportunity. The experience of setting up a tent, sitting by a campfire, huddling in a sleeping bag—these are the kind of moments that are memorable, especially when it is something you have never done before, a place you have never been

to, or with people you have never had the chance to spend time with previously. The views were also incredible—the car rides to and from Los Alamos, people spent time taking pictures of California’s wonderful landscapes and rivers. Between the views and exploration, it is a chance for students to unwind and learn! According to Uy and Program Board members, if students express enough interest, there can once again be the chance for them to experience camping in 2027 as well! Keep an eye out for announcements from the Program Board. They do more than camping trips, their team works hard to provide experiences for students to get out of the classrooms and their dorms and make memories together.

Maryam Zorba / Quaker Campus

Grill masters at work.

Poets In Open Water, Kayaking In The Bay Selina Lin COPY EDITOR How many people reading this can say they have touched a jellyfish? On Saturday, Sept. 19, Whittier College students boarded a bus to Alamitos Bay for two exciting hours of kayaking in the early afternoon. Alamitos Bay is tucked into a quiet area near the beach. The clear day and beaming sun maintained the temperature around the high 80s, making it the perfect environment to be on the water. This is the fourth annual kayaking trip organized by Jonathan Burton, a professor in the English Department. Also accompanying this trip is Director of Recreation and Wellness, Jabari Lewis, who has also been a part of this event since its formation. Lewis shared a bit about his hopes for this event, saying that it is a great way to, “Give students a first trip off campus and bond with each other […][as well as] having a fun time and learning something new.” His hope is that this event will create bonds that will last throughout their time at the College and help give a sense of community. He also wants students to get an educational experience out of this, such as learning new routes and animals, in addition to experiencing biology and environmental science. He chose kayaking, “Because

Courtesy of Jonathan Burton

Like ducks to water, Poets take to kayaks. it’s local, and many students don’t even know it exists. Plus, being on water is always a good time.” After an hour-long commute and some time dedicated to logistics, students made their way to the kayaks. They were able to explore the long stretches of canals, one of which is occupied by Moon Jellies. They are small, delicate creatures that are barely visible in the green water due to their translucent blue hue, but many students cited their excitement

about being able to pet them. Fi r s t - ye a r Ja e - Mi n L i m , attending this trip for the first time, said, “I was afraid of it, but when I touched it, it felt like jelly. It felt like slime.” It was his first time ever touching jellyfish, and it became his favorite moment of the trip. Similarly, fourth-year Ty Carlson, also attending this trip for the first time, recounted, “They have a really unique texture.” For many students like these two, the jellyfish were the highlights of their

trip, besides the bonding. This kayaking trip was also an opportunity for students to learn how to kayak and discover new ways to enjoy themselves. Firstyear Hiromy Hernandez Mendez stated that her favorite moment was, “Getting a hang of kayaking […] because [she] had never done it before.” She also loved when she and her kayak partner had to row quickly to get out of the way of a larger boat, putting their newlylearned skills to use together.

Overall, this trip successfully accomplished the goals stated by Lewis. Students were able to sit and eat with friends, meet new people, and unwind. For out of state and foreign students, this is a great way to explore options within the area and become more familiar with C a l i f o r n i a ' s g r a n d e u r. Mo s t importantly, it provided a way for students to build community and make Whittier College feel all the more welcoming.

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OPINIONS

Oct. 1, 2026

Wannabes, Phonies, Fakers, and Poseurs

Jamie Calderon

CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR

The openers for Pierce The Veil's Homecoming show at Petco Park were the perfect mix of underground and viral sensation. But what do those terms even mean? How do we decide who's underground and who's song has too many TikTok edits? When the first opener, InColor, played their dreamy alt-pop, sensual bedroom vibes, the crowd bopped their heads and clapped but very few people, at least around me, sang along. But if you were there in the pit, singing along to “Big Deal” or “Headlights,” I sincerely apologize for misrepresenting you. However, when Julia Wolf came onstage, the crowd rushed closer and phones raised to catch the best angles. It was clear there was a difference in what value these two acts held to the crowds. And when Wolf played her viral song “In My Room,” and the crowd sang and hummed along, it was like a line had been drawn in the sand. Julia Wolf, and videos of her performance, held a level of social currency that InColor did not. But aside from that song, everyone was

bopping their heads, unsure of the lyrics of the other songs. There was a feeling in the crowd that you had to enjoy her set more because of her viral status; it’s “cool” to know Wolf. But my truth is, I became a fan of InColor that night, in a very poser way. I added the songs from their set to my playlist and I listened to them religiously on my slow trek back to my hotel after the show. Did I know any of the lyrics? No. Did I know what any of the songs meant? No. Did I still proclaim them as great to anyone who listened? Yes. But what even is a true fan? Do you need to be in the barricade of every show you can afford and then some? Do you need to always wear some merch? Should you know the actor or singer’s first nanny’s cat name? Do you need to name five songs? Why do we put so much emphasis on the knowledge you have on a band or artist or actor? Why do we need to spend more on tickets or merch to be a good fan, aside from the aspect of financially supporting the “starving artists”? Why is there so much societal pressure to be constantly proving your loyalty to someone to be a fan? I’ve been a poser many times in my life, but I think our strict defini-

tion of a poser, or larper, means that we all at some point have been larpers. If larping is showing an interest, performatively or not, without any real knowledge of the thing you’re showing interest in, larping is inescapable! In his 2014 book Lets Talk about Love: Who has Bad Taste? Carl Wilson argues, “[...] taste seems less an aesthetic question than, again, a social one: among the thousands of varieties of aesthetes and geeks and hobbyists, each with their special-ordered cultural diet [...]” This comes from a chapter of the book where Wilson attempts to overcome his problems with Celine Dion and become a fan of her. Wilson spends a lot of time talking about what taste is, what’s good taste, what’s bad taste. But my favorite part of this comes from the same chapter where he pulls from sociological theorist, Bourdieu. Particularly, he refrences Bourdieu’s discussion of cultural/social capital, economic capital, and habitus. His discussion is long and complex, but Wilson breaks it down to terms of music taste. Your habitus is the environment around you that you are born into that shapes you. Decisions you make therefore shape your habitus and thus shape your

taste. Cultural and social capital are something you can gain from your habitus, but can also help you move to higher habitus with better opportunities for economic capital. So why talk about this? Why do we larp? We are informed by our habitus on what is popular (and therefore cool) to like, and what is in good taste. Liking those popular things, portraying good taste, gives us a level of social/cultural capital. So we pretend to like what’s cool, we act like we have good taste, WE LARP! We pretend to be in the know about Julia Wolf and pretend to know her songs because she’s popular and knowing her is cool. Having a video of her performance gives you social capital in the terms of likes. When we shame people for being larpers, what we are really saying is that it’s too late to be a fan. But no one can have knowledge of every piece of media, especially not in an age where garage bands have been replaced with independent artists advertising on TikTok, and where small producers and directors are pumping out more movies than ever without

being at the behest of Kickstarter. Why is it so embarrassing to be a new fan? Why is there so much shame in liking the most popular songs? I am very guilty of trying to seem like a better fan by avoiding saying that a popular song is my favorite, but the truth is that I love "Bull In The Bronx" more than the obscure songs from my own research! We are more divided than ever in the advent of the social media age, and labels like larper push us further from each other. We shouldn’t care if someone is a real fan of our favorite media because that media is still our favorite. If an intimate knowledge of a topic or media makes you a real fan, then there’s no difference between a new fan and a larper. Everyone larps, we just are so afraid of being called a larper or a poser or a wannabe that we turn it on others first. Maybe human nature is to blame, maybe social media, maybe capitalism. If you asked Marx, he would blame capitalism, but maybe I’m a larper on the scholarship, and maybe that’s okay. I’m unashamed to larp. Larping is caring, wanting to be included, and learning. We should all care for each other a bit more and larp together.

Generation Alpha Really Is 13 Going On 30 Aubrey Proano-Keeler STAFF WRITER

Kaila Mitike STAFF WRITER

Instead of Shopkins, it’s Mini Brands, instead of Baby Lips, it’s Fenty Beauty, and instead of tween childhood, it’s straight into young adulthood. The term "tween" originated in the late 1980s, described as a “liminal space between childhood and adolescence,” According to Digital Commons, this term quickly connected to a culture of its own; an awkward, fun, and expressive transition phase from child to teenager. Tween culture especially became popular when businesses began realizing children between childhood and their teenage years were their own consumer group. Tweens had their own stores, television shows, music, magazines, and toys. This helped create the version of tween culture that many people remember today. TV networks like Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Cartoon Network, among others, are centered around the tween experience. Most of these networks have gone extinct due to the rise of streaming services. There were also specific stores for tweens and young kids, like Toys-R-Us, Limited Too, Justice, and Claire’s; however, two of these stores filed for bankruptcy, another narrowly avoided it, and another closed due to economic recession. This forces children to participate in older teen activities because things for their own age aren’t easily accessible anymore. We see this loss of tween culture affecting fashion choices and cloth-

Major Tween culture staples go bankrupt: where is the Justice? ing as well, with tweens adopting older teen to young adult fashion. In the past there has been a distinct difference in tween, teen, and young adult fashion. But in the last decade alone this distinction has been muddied, as tween-centered fashion stores have almost completely vanished across the nation. With tweens trading brightly colored clothing meant for playing into muted clothing sets, black hoodies, and generally what was considered young adult clothing a decade ago. This directly cuts out the awkward, but lovable, tween phase altogether. During the late 2000’s and early 2010’s major changes in American society impacted what allowed tween culture to thrive. Helicopter parenting took off in the 2000s, smartphones started to become mainstream in the early 2010’s, as well as the rise of social media, changing tween culture forever. Helicopter parenting led to increased rates of social anxiety, more time indoors compared to older

generations', and perfectionism. All of which have made it increasingly difficult for tweens to socialize outside of school and extracurriculars, while the rise of the smartphone and social media has led to a lessened usage of toys in tweens and children overall. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center report, young teens and tweens record they’re on social media sites such as TikTok, SnapChat, and Instagram “almost constantly” and over 60 percent of teens and tweens use artificial intelligence sites. This has in part happened due to the rise of parents using phones and iPads as tools for raising their children. A study done by the Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago in 2025 reported that 49 percent of parents use screens daily to help with childcare responsibilities, 71 percent of parents are using screens to manage their children’s behavior in public, 28 percent allowing screens during meals, and 54 percent of parents feeling their children and tweens are addicted to screens. With tween tele-

Courtesy of WBKR vision programming dying out, and stores targeted at tweens going bankrupt, kids have less and less options for entertainment or shopping opportunities, and all roads seem to lead to social media. Kids getting access to social media leads to them seeing adults doing things that’s appropriate for their age, which leads to kids having hardly any representation online as the years go on. Another impact of the loss of tween culture is the kids that are going to these adult spaces and ruining them. An article from Medium by Inky Rose about the decline of tween culture describes how girls as young as 9-13 are becoming interested in expensive makeup and skincare and have started “invading places like Sephora” and damaging the sample displays. The author also points out that tweens are beginning to worry about things like wrinkles and expensive skincare when those concerns were traditionally associated with much older demographics.

The loss of tween culture therefore affects more than what kids watch; it changes where they spend their time, what they see as normal, and what age group they feel pressured to fit into. On a larger scale some of the ways we can try to revitalize tween culture is advocating for policies that target children and tween social media/screen usage. Bring back retail stores and third spaces for tweens to buy age appropriate items and spaces to socialize freely, safely, and without pressure to spend money. As well as encourage major television networks to bring back tween centered media such as shows, books, and movies to teach moral lessons and prepare tweens for challenges they’ll face in teenhood similar to media in the 1990s and early 2000s. On a smaller scale, building community with neighbors to create spaces for children and tweens to socialize and get more time outside safely. As well as encouraging or creating programs focused on tween wellness physically, socially, and mentally. While we’re seeing the loss of tween culture, this doesn’t mean that it can’t be revived. There has been a rise of analog parenting and a growing desire among generations for community building. But to battle the effects of social media on the younger generation there needs to be reflection and continued efforts on all fronts for there to be actual change. Though it might seem like a battle, if we want to lower the rates of isolation, social anxiety, and pressure to "act grown" within tweens we need to change how we raise, socialize, and work as a community to create a better future for tweens.

Oct. 1, 2026

FEATURES

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Meet Her Where Life Happens: Elena Chavez Ernesto Hernandez STAFF WRITER

Elena Chavez is the first face many hungry students see as they enter the Spot. She is popular for sharing her endearing and enduring personality with staff and students alike. “Ustedes son como mis hijos, mirándolos a ustedes estudiar y trabajando duro todo los dias es lo que me gusta mas de venir al trabajo todo los días,” states Chavez in her native tongue. “You all are like my children, watching you all study and work hard every day is what I like best about coming to work every day," says Chavez, as we have translated her. I go way back with her, she was once my lunch and yard duty monitor at Orange Grove Elementar y School. When we saw each other on campus for the first time, we were both suprised; we could not believe what we were seeing. It was one of those moments where you're able to look at someone and recognize their face, but not their name. I remember Elena very vividly helping us out at Orange Grove in giving us extra juice or milk cartons, ensuring that we had water and anything to eat. I remember feeling like she treated everyone as if they were her own children. Upon showing her the picture of myself from when I was younger,

she recognized my face and more. “Ahhh, yo se me recuerdo de ti mijo, yo te cuidaba en la escuela cuando estabas chiquito,” she states. (“Ahhh, I remember you, my son, I took care of you at school when you were little.”) It delighted me to find that her familiar face followed me to my college years. Her reputation for serving students spans at least a decade, across two campuses in Whittier. While admittingly tiresome, she cherishes the Whittier community for being a home to her family. Chavez reflects on her decision to start work for the College with gratitude and honest hesitance. It was tough to balance her positions at both campuses while being a mother of three: getting off work late, going home to take care of her children and repeating the cycle again. She owes her unstoppable work ethic to the inspiration she feels from her father. Chavez regards her father as “a grand fountain of motivation” and she pays respect to him everyday. “Aunque mi padre no está aquí conmigo, que en paz descanse, cuando pasó por momentos en la vida donde no se que hacer, parro de hacer lo que estoy haciendo y me pregunto yo sola misma, que me diría mi padre en este momento?” (“Despite my father no longer being with me, may he rest in peace, I go through moments in life where I do not know what to do, so I stop what I am doing and I ask myself, what would

my father say in this moment?”) In life and death, her father has been an insightful guardian. She recalls the time when she was younger and he noticed her not being like herself. Since Chavez is willing to talk with anyone who crosses her path, so much so it actually concerned her father for safety reasons, he knew something was out of the ordinary when she was losing that habit. “Yo por un tiempo, mijo, deje de hacer sociable, pero mi papa me ayudo porque el me decia, '¿Donde esta mi niña sociable y feliz?'" Chavez remembers. ("For a time, my son, I was losing my love for being social, but my father helped me by asking, "Where is my social and happy girl?'") Chavez brings up this story about her father's question with students of our generation in mind. Just as her father noticed something in her, standing behind the counter she notices something in us, bustling travelers through the Spot. “Me fijo mucho en ustedes, bueno esta generación, que están muy-muy estresados, mijo. Porque ustedes tienen que estudiar, tienen que trabajar y todavía tratar de encontrar tiempo para ustedes mismos, era muy diferente cuando yo era niña.” says Chavez. (“I pay a lot of attention to you all, well, this generation. Mostly that you are really-really stressed, my son. You have to study, work, and still try to find time for yourselves. It was really

Our beloved Elena Chavez. different when I was a girl.”) She feels for us in the heat of making our own lives out of a world with far different expectations than her own experiences. Chavez leaves us with a message addressed to me but meant for all in hard times: “Las cosas que suceden, mijo, es temporal, solo por un momento, es normal que la vida va suceder y que las cosas nos pasarán una gran factura, nuestra mente puede ser mas fuerte que nosotros, pero si aprendemos de nuestros errores,

Courtesy of Elena Chavez en amar la vida que vivimos, en aceptar la vida que vivimos y ser optimisticos, vamos a poder pasar por cualquier cosa en nuestra vida." (“The things that happen, my son, are temporary, only for a moment. It is normal for life to happen and for the things that happen to us to be a grand fracture. Our minds can be more powerful than us, but if we learn from our mistakes, in loving the life we live, in accepting the life we live and with optimism, we will be able to go through whatever happens in our life.”)

MEEP-MEEP! Poets Progress Radio Antenna Daniel Gomez HEAD COPY EDITOR

Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy Jordan Hanson’s research on radio frequency (RF) phased arrays has made further advancements by recently producing a set of functioning 3D-printed antennas. Hanson’s journey began back in the summer of 2020, when he earned Faculty Research Fellowships through the Office of Naval Research with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Corona Division (NSWC Corona) acting as his host. This research took advantage of an open-source Python package

titled, MIT Electromagnetic Equation Propagation (MEEP), for use in simulating electromagnetics. Aside from other relevant software costing thousands to use, Hanson chose MEEP as it took advantage of Maxwell's equations, which he used to simulate and detect RF frequencies in the centimeter range rather than the micrometer range that MEEP is usually used for. Being able to cut down research, development time, and cost, substantially shows that you can create antenna prototypes cheaply and efficiently; Hanson’s research is primed to help advance the field of radio glaciology. Radio Glaciology is the study of glaciers, ice caps, and ice sheets using radio frequencies

to measure ice thickness and structure. Hanson is hopeful that future research can further extend to 3D-printing drones for use in Antarctica, whose climate challenges researchers. The drones will potentially be solar powered, and piloted by AI. Currently, researchers must wait for planes that need massive amounts of fuel and proper air conditions to fly to scan and send data for analysis. With Hansen's contributions, researchers can look forward to real time analysis. As he and his colleagues were working on this research it was a Navy engineer, Gary Yeakley, who first suggested the potential of 3D-printing the antennas talked about through their research.

Courtesy of Preprints.org A finished 3D printed radio frequency (RF) horn from Hansen's research.

The types of antennas used for RF signaling and receiving primarily need a small amount of metal to conduct the signal and the rest of the construction is used to funnel that signal. Although the idea held promise, the type of 3D-printing filament available at the time that could be conductive, Electrifi, was not able to be utilized by the 3D-printer the school had at the time. Over the years, Hanson and his team continued their research during the summer. The money received from the fellowships worked fine for a while, but eventually Hanson began to see the need for more funding and took to looking for grants. This led Hanson to send in an application to NSWC Corona again for the Naval Engineering Education Consortium (NEEC) grant offered by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and was awarded a grant of $350,000. With this new funding he was now able to purchase the necessary equipment to go from simulations to application. One of the first things he was able to do was purchase a printer capable of utilizing the Electrifi filament. With the NEEC grant, Hanson was able to hire more students and alumni to help with his research project. After much work, his team was finally able to produce a working prototype.

As this breakthrough was relatively recent, they are still looking at the potential capabilities of a singular antenna. The grant money was also used to purchase a monitor capable of detecting up to 18GHz and a new PC able to produce enough computational power to simulate an RF array grid upwards of 16-by-16 whereas before it was a struggle to simulate a 3-by-3 grid. With the monitor and the tests being run at first, Hanson was only observing a range of 0.1 GHz to 5 GHz. He then noticed on the far right of the graph that the signal continued in the much higher 10 GHz to upwards of 18 GHz with no signs of losing strength. Hanson’s research will continue moving forward, and with the tools available on campus, any student looking into the sciences will be able to build professional skills. There is even a new club on campus, the Integrated Science Club, whose members are able to use the 3D printer and equipment for their own projects. With the ability to work alongside Naval engineers, real world professionals through alumni, and ability to utilize professional equipment, the research Hanson and his team have been conducting has proven to be a big enrichment for the students on campus in their efforts to pursue a degree in STEM.

SPORTS

8 Poet’s Sports Schedule:

Location: Claremont, CA • 11:30 A.M. • Oct. 2

Men’s Water Polo vs. C o n c o rd i a Un i ve r s i t y Irvine Location: Claremont, CA • 3:15 P.M. • Oct. 2

Men’s & Women’s XC vs. Cougar Challenge Location: San Marcos, CA • 7:30 AM. & 8:15 A.M. • Oct. 3 Men’s Water Polo vs. Augustana Location: Claremont, CA • 9:45 A.M. • Oct. 3 Women’s Volleyball Chapman University Location: TBD • 10 A.M. • Oct. 3

Men’s Lacrosse Leading a Brand New Shift Paola Ruiz

NEWS EDITOR

Men’s Water Polo vs. UC Irvine

vs.

Women’s Soccer vs. PomonaPitzer Colleges Location: Claremont, CA • 11 A.M. • Oct. 3 Men’s Soccer @ PomonaPitzer Colleges Location: Pomona, CA • 3:30 A.M. • Oct. 3 Wo m e n’s Vo l l e y b a l l v s . Caltech Location: Whittier, CA • 4 P.M. • Oct. 3 Men’s Water Polo vs. CSU Fullerton Location: Whittier, CA • 4 P.M. • Oct. 3 Football @ Chapman University Location: Orange, CA • 7 P.M. • Oct. 3 Wo m e n’s Vo l l e y b a l l @ University of Redlands Location: Redlands, CA • 7 P.M. • Oct. 6 Men’s Soccer vs. California Lutheran University Location: Whittier, CA • 7 P.M. • Oct. 7 Women’s Soccer vs. California Lutheran University Location: Thousand Oaks, CA • 7 P.M. • Oct. 7 Visit wcpoets.com/calendar for the full sports schedule!

Oct. 1, 2026

When Whittier College announced the return of its Men’s Lacrosse team, the revival sparked excitement across the campus and throughout Poet alum. However, this is a new era for the program as the College moves the team from NCAA Division III to Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA). The decision was made due to financial, regional geography, and cultural differences within the two divisions of competitions. For over two decades, the College held a demanding position as one of the few NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse programs on the West Coast. During this time, it was required for the College to have a massive travel budget, constant cross-country flights to the East Coast, and an exhausting schedule where a majority of critical games were played far from home. Coach Francis explains that the decision of shifting away from the NCAA was made long before he applied for the coaching position. “That decision was made prior to even looking for a coach [...] I do not think I would have taken the job if it was an NCAA program.” Francis shares that, “The logistics of trying to run an NCAA program here in California right now is ridiculous. [The College’s] budget for traveling would easily be over $200,000. You would need to go to the East Coast for a week with 30 guys, fly them out there, put them in hotels, feed them, and travel around to games. It is easily over $60,000 each trip, and you gotta do it twice.” Beyond the financial strain, taking a group away for a weeklong trip disrupts the students academically. Moving to the MCLA connects the College

with competition within close proximity; the program will be facing rivals like Chapman, Claremont, and Biola University. “The MCLA is really a better fit for us because of proximity to competition, the ability to build a program that is going to compete quickly and is easier, as well as financially,” notes Francis. “I think the right one, without a doubt, is to compete in the MCLA because of proximity and money.” While the perception of the MCLA on the East Coast can carry a “club” stigma, Francis emphasizes that the College’s setup is anything but standard. “In the East, MCLA is still kind of a swear word,” Francis admits. “People think, ‘Oh, it is just a club, right?’ 99.9

the mix. “The alums, for the most part, are excited,” Francis shares. “Some are still a little bitter, but the alums that we have talked to are super excited. We just started reaching out to them a lot in the past few months.” C o a c h Fr a n c i s i s a l s o implementing events and a mentorship model inspired by his time at Cornell. Francis plans to pair current student-athletes with alumni based on their shared career interest and field of interest. He hopes this will help students connect with their future goals and aspirations, while also increasing the program’s connections with previous student-athletes. Men’s Lacrosse is planning to hold an

official annual alumni game to bring former players back on campus. This is also to place a spotlight on their social media and share which athletes have been making an impact on the team. Although the athletes are required to give their all when it comes to lacrosse, Coach Francis demands that all students put their academics first. “The number one thing I believe in is college academics comes first, but there is plenty of time in the day to maintain your dedication to your team. We do not schedule any practices or games where you

would have to miss a class. Time management is very important.” In addition to ensuring that academics come first Coach Francis holds bi-weekly individual check-ins with his players and maintains a high bar for retention. “If a kid does not come back next year, I will take it personally. It bothers me. The school wants an 85 percent retention rate, but I want 100 percent.” Rebuilding a program from scratch requires a specific type of student-athlete. With a current roster featuring 15 lacrosse players, that includes seven dual-sport athletes currently playing football. When recruiting for the team Coach Francis focuses on culture, accountability, and leadership. “Whittier is a very unique school and it has only 900 kids. I want to make sure that the kid is a right fit for the school and vice versa. We are looking for kids that want to be a part of building a new program. We want leaders and I have got a great group of them.” When it comes to execution on the field, Coach Francis takes a different approach to the game. “When one guy does something, the other five react to that. If he changes, we all react, and you are reading everybody. I do not teach lacrosse plays; I teach you how to play lacrosse,” exclaims Francis. This blank slate allows Francis to establish his own system from day one without having to improve on past ones. “The fact that I am able to come here and not have a bunch of kids that have had a coach doing something one way forever and then I come in and do something different, I get to start that way. I get to build this the way I want it, and I only get to be a part of bringing something back that never should have gone away,” comments Francis. From planning official alumni games to recruiting new players, the College’s Men’s Lacrosse team is laying a long-term foundation to prove that the team is here to stay.

Courtesy of Quinn Burke Men’s Water Polo only knows how to win in dominant style younger guys what it means to be a this season. Building a tight-knit poet and to hopefully win SCIAC, team by bonding and prioritizing as that has been the goal each rest will help keep their team bond and every year.” Not only does close and healthy to ensure they get Zeledon aim to set a record for the a season worth remembering. Not waterpolo team, but also to show only that, but Zeledon also wishes what it means to be a Poet, work to leave behind a legacy of what it hard, and gain results through the means to be a successful student hard effort and dedication of the athlete who leads by example and team. “has a winning mentality.” Looking back at last year’s This season means a lot for season, the captains aim to help these players because they have their teammates always keep a spent many years working to build positive mindset no matter what up the team and climb the ranks to happens and persevere despite any one day accomplish their dreams challenges they may encounter and leave the team better than it

was. This season, just as any other, will continue to push the team and make them work just as hard to prove not only to themselves but to all of the Poet community what hard work can bring. As the season goes on and the water polo team continues progress on working their team up, let’s remember to support our fellow poets and be there to cheer them on as they fight to meet their goals and bring us an amazing season. As Borunda says, “Of course we want to go all the way, and that’s what we’re going to keep it at.” Showing they won’t give up on themselves or their team. Zeledon shares that, “Being a part of the men’s Whittier water polo program for four years now has been an amazing experience. Each year it has always been a new team with different leaders. I will always remember my teammates and the experience we create together, all the tough practices and challenges that we face, a team only makes us stronger.”

Courtesy of Poets Men’s Lacrosse No re-LAX-ing for Men’s Lacrosse percent of the teams are clubs run by their schools like their coaches and captains. However, that is not the case here; the College has a varsity sport and is fully funded by it. I am a full-time employee and that is certainly not common. It is super uncommon, I should say.” Rebuilding a historic program is not only about recruiting incoming students but also creating connections with Men’s Lacrosse alumni. While some former alumni were hurt when the program was previously cut, Coach Francis is actively taking steps to bring the alumni back into

Men’s Water Polo Making Waves Out Here Karen Martinez Agular PHOTOGRAPHER

The Men’s Water Polo team dives into the 2026-2027 season with excellent team chemistry and tough competition. The team has a current record of 9-3-0 (wins, losses, ties) and is working to improve collectively in order to climb SCIAC rankings. The team captain, third year Evan Borunda says, “As of right now it’s going pretty good, obviously not perfect. We’re still a new and growing team meaning the sky is the limit for us, and [we’re excited] to see how we do.” The captains report on wanting to focus on setting a positive example for their team and leave behind a legacy to be proud of. They want to establish a better team culture and accomplish their collective goal of winning SCIAC. Co-captain and fourth year, Dylan Zeledon states, “I hope to show the

Oct. 1, 2026

SPORTS

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They’re Running the Distance and Going for Speed AJ Ceja

STAFF WRITER Whittier College Cross Country is back this fall with fresh faces top to bottom, and is looking to make some noise this year in the SCIAC and set a new standard for the program. Head coach Kathy Graham is entering into her third season as the Director of Cross Country/ Track and Field at Whittier. Graham’s over 25 years of coaching experience will benefit the fresh roster she has this year. She focuses on the development of competitive visions, opposed to individual team placement. “So I never like to say, ‘Oh, we’re going to get this or that.’ I know we can compete at this level, and that’s going well for us,” Graham states. “I think the challenges are pretty much the same every year in the sense of just being able to cast a vision that we’re able to follow through all the way and hitting it hardest at SCIAC Championships.”

Courtesy of Poets Cross Country “We just need a little patience to get up in the mix [...],” Coach Graham post-UCR Invite Adding to that philosophy is recruiting, a good collaborative the men’s top five runners are newly hired assistant coach Jeffery attitude, a good positive attitude. freshmen, talk about throwing Fisher. Last season he helped Some very, very good things.” them in the deep end. This, guide Chapman University to a Their coaching approach however, creates an opportunity second-place finish at the SCIAC has already translated into early for the young group to establish its championship. He brings years of results. On Sept. 4, the men’s team own expectations. experience at the international, finished second at the Oxnard “We’re really excited to set collegiate, and high school levels. College Invite. First-year Christian a new standard here, and that’s Coach Graham praised the Prieto led the Poets with a fourth- what we’re doing right now is energy Fisher brings, “He brings place finish in the men’s open four- setting a new standard,” Prieto a really good intensity, which we mile race with a time of 21:43.44. says. “Standard means to make the really need, an intensity and focus Prieto said the team is still team as strong as possible […] we in practice, intensity and focus in building its identity. Four of all have to be together.”

The women’s team is facing a different challenge. First year Mika Gomes placed fifth in the women’s open 5k with a time of 20:34.10. She was the lone competitor for the Poets; however, with confidence in her voice, she says, “As of right now, I’m the only girl on the team, so right now, I’m just trying to hold the team down strong.” Gomes’ goals extend beyond her own performance. She hopes to recruit future teammates and help build the women’s program while continuing to compete alongside the men’s team throughout the season. Gomes with a sly look on her face says, “I’m not complaining, because it’s fun running with the guys too.” The competitive attitude from both teams is reflective of the environment both Coach Graham and Coach Fisher have created. Graham emphasizes “We’re not looking to sustain, we are looking to improve.” With a young roster and experienced leadership, the team enters into October with a clear vision ahead.

Goodbye Moreno, Close the Door on Your Way Out Maia Chaidez SPORTS EDITOR

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have not-so recently been sold to Rams-owner Stan Kroenke. In addition to the Rams, Kroenke also owns the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, and the MLS’ Colorado Rapids, just to name some. His company, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, operates or owns the team’s venue, and, most importantly, his ownership have brought these teams championships. Kroenke has won nine championships throughout different leagues. He’s a two time Superbowl champion, two time Stanley Cup champion, 2023 NBA champion, 2010 MLS Cup champion, two time NLL champion, and, just this year, the 2026 Premier League champion. But why is this all important? Well, let’s take a look at exAngels owner Arte Moreno’s portfolio. In 1986, Moreno and a group of 17 others purchased the Salt Lake City Trappers, a minor league baseball team which was pretty financially successful. Moreno’s next purchase would be the Anaheim Angels in April of 2003 for $180 million. And for a while, it was good. He signed Vladimir “Vladdy” Guerrero, mingled with fans in the stadium’s setting and concourses, and ultimately drew in more fans from the team’s championship season. Then, it began to go downhill. In 2005, Moreno decided that the Anaheim Angels, located in Anaheim, California, would go by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The idea behind it was that it would increase the team’s revenue by associating it with the

Courtesy of the California Post

Come for the $4.50 beers, stay for the shirtless fans. broader Los Angeles metropolitan area. Instead, fans hated it. In fact, city officials hated it too. It took away from the fanbase’s roots in Orange County, a county that takes pride in being separate from Los Angeles. The city officials tried to sue the team on the grounds of the team breaching the 1996 lease, but the jury and the court ruled in the team’s favor. Any fan or hater knows the rest of the story up to now, but ESPN writer Alden Gonzalez summarizes it best in an Aug. 2023 article, “He [Moreno] has been criticized for targeting mega-contracts that quickly became problematic [...] came with the loss of draft picks, and then declining to exceed the luxury tax threshold in an effort to make up for it.” Gonzalez goes on to write, “He has been criticized for not paying enough attention to the infrastructure that helps

organizations develop talent through minor league systems, part of the reason the Angels’ farm system has ranked within the bottom eight in the industry by Baseball America seven out of the past 10 years.” He concluded, “And he has been criticized for continually cutting costs in many of the behind-the-scenes aspects that would help maximize expensive rosters, from analytics to training resources to staffing hires­ —an approach one former pitcher described as ‘buying a McLaren and taking it to Jiffy Lube.’” Then you take a look at the other side of Katella Avenue and you see that Anaheim Ducks owners, the Samueli family, are spending $4 billion to build a surrounding entertainment district, similar to LA Live. And another $1 billion to upgrade the Honda Center, the team’s arena.

Oh, and, the Ducks also had a very good playoff run. A very stark contrast between one owner that cares for the team and the city the team represents, and one that only sees the team as some cash cow. Then you take another look across the I-5, and while your team is relishing in their first 100-loss, that other team already secured a playoff spot. They tied the Atlanta Braves (1991-2005) for the longest consecutive playoff appearances at 14. From spring training through the dog days of summer, they might have a couple of hiccups, but come autumn ball, and the Dodgers are expected to be firing on all cylinders. This postseason for them seems to be no different and I’m sure the team plans to be holding the Commissioner’s Trophy for a third time again very soon. Put it all together, you see

a man who simply bought the Angels franchise while it was on a rise just to try and drain it dry. He paid superstars big money but just let the farm system to rot, trimmed analytics and training staff, and ultimately tried to rebrand the team into something it wasn’t. And on the other side of Katella Avenue is a team who embraced being from Orange County and is a team whose future looks more than promising. It’s the team Moreno could never give to Anaheim. However long Kroenke’s tenure lasts, I can at least expect one thing. It may be in five years, maybe even 10, and maybe even a bit longer. But I believe a championship can be expected under Kroenke’s ownership. Because if there’s one thing Kroenke knows that Moreno never learned, it’s how to win a championship.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The QC Staff

Baby Girl She's Control. She's ADÉLA

Suggests:

Daniel Gomez

CO-HEAD COPY EDITOR

Want to know what our CoHead Copy Editor recommends this week? Read on! Hobby Over the past year I have taken up wood working. Nothing too big like making furniture but just finding a stick and sanding it down. Something about the process is just so calming.

Courtesy of Daniel Gomez

Shopping As a student using your money can be stressful. When I get the feeling to do something but not spend money I take a walk through King Richards and look at all the unique items from the past.

Courtesy of King Richards

TV Shows Poldark (2015-2019) is a wonderfully produced show with historical outfits and great acting. As well as an infuriating main character. A guilty rewatch to be sure, if nothing more than to remind myself to not be like Ross.

Chase Byer STAFF WRITER Riffing off of the success of her debut EP, The Provocateur, and serving an opening-slot for Demi Lovato, pop newcomer Adéla Jergová (known professionally as ADÉLA) crashes into the mainstream on her debut album PRIMA. According to The Guardian, the album was supposedly “Made in a hurry so that Jergova would have enough material to warrant a support slot with Demi Lovato,” which at least sort of excuses the lack of clear message on! First listen. While songs may be catchy, the singularity of everything and lack of coherence sonically leaves much to be desired, especially going off of what she’s shown herself to be capable of. Album cover wise, PRIMA boasts a slightly-blurry, oversaturated close up of ADÉLA covered in glitter with the last ‘A’ coinciding with a wink, giving a very playful and cheeky vibe to the album at first glance. The cover is in the same vein as albums such as Miley Cyrus’ Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz, or Anne Marie’s Therapy. Announced shortly after, other variants of the album cover showed ADÉLA sprawled out in bird feathers, in the darkness with an image of a dove overlaid. Even a Hot Topic exclusive variant with PRIMA scribbled over a black and white-edition of the standard cover. The divisiveness between covers perpetuates confusion about the general vibe and concept of the album, with the standard feeling that it was chosen because it was more digestible. In general, PRIMA switches up from the angry, sex-sells approach taken for The Provocateur to a more campy, vibe based Addison -Raestyle approach; there's so much more confidence. Paired with sonic allusions to Camila Cabello’s cult classic album C,XOXO and Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz, PRIMA offers a collage of inspirations and mood boards. There’s a clear divide between eras, almost like Taylor Swift's transition from Reputation to Lover. ADÉLA even changed up her iconic light-pink hair for a

more raspberry-ish hot pink. Taking a step back from a more edgy sound, PRIMA channels a sense of 2010s nostalgia rich in references from the past decade. It serves as this incoherent, messy piece of media in the vein of Sabrina Carpenter’s 2022 album emails i can’t send–in that so many different feelings are packed into about a half an hour of ballads and pop hits. To be honest, the lack of consistency makes PRIMA stand as more of a mixtape than an album. Thematically, if the listener sits in the backseat, and Jergova’s singer persona as ADÉLA rides shotgun, her personal life is the driver. It’s far more personal than anything, ADÉLA as a brand has conveyed herself to be. As an immigrant from Bratislava, Slovakia, ADÉLA explores the pressure to make it big in America from the get-go on the opening track "KGB" stating “I was like eight working the night shift to learn English. I’m like a spy, I studied this.” The album’s second track, titled "Nicole Kidman," presents this overtly confident, all-eyeson-me persona accompanied by a music video in which ADÉLA can be seen parodying various movies starring Kidman. It’s a switch-up from previous tracks, standing out as the start of something new. Additional support for the song includes Kidman herself using the sound on social media, among others from ADÉLA’s discography, during the press run for her movie Practical Magic 2. Multiple songs were tested out for performability across a sold-out solo “PROVOCA-TOUR” before opening for Demi Lovato, giving fans a tease of what the album would sound like. Songs performed such as “Nasty Dirty Gross,” gained significant traction on social media sparking anticipation for the debut album. While one song "Boys" was in high demand as a single, ADÉLA chose to release "Red Bottoms," a broken-down ballad comparing her life to the infamous Christian Louboutin heels. The track, which was the first of its kind in Jergova’s discography, dampened her sound into that of Lana Del Rey and Olivia Rodrigo; It's a more laid back, emotionally

Courtesy of Spotify The stylized campy PRIMA vibe featuring ADÉLA’s new hot pink hair.

driven song with lyrical meaning drawn from various pop c u l t u r e references and feelings o f s e l f doubt and regret. The release coincided with the announcement of a now-sold out “Red Bottoms Tour,” which boasted over 60,000 fans waiting in queues to score tickets across 36 shows in small venues. While at first glance some moves fail to acknowledge what the fans want, the rollout surprisingly reinforces ADÉLA’s control over her own career. While speaking of the album in her press run, ADÉLA claimed her goal was for PRIMA to, “feel like a 22-year-old girl,” owning the mess of everything so far. If half of PRIMA is a party, the other side encapsulates the hangover hours later. Inadvertently, the point of PRIMA is finding meaning in everything and anything. In the days leading up to the album, Jergova seemingly hit a lucky streak; largely due to the

Courtesy of PBS

Music half·alive is a band finding their way with one less member in their band. Just as many students are finding new paths in life. They have wonderful lyrics and music videos give them a try!

Courtesy of Facebook

ADELA steps into Nicole Kidmans iconic roles.

Oct. 1, 2026

Courtesy of Rolling Stone

success of PRIMA’s third and final single "Ain’t In LA." The track, which pays homage to Miley Cyrus’ 2013 hit "We Can’t Stop," even features the same backing vocalist, Theron Thomas. The single’s message resonated with audiences worldwide, and performance was pushed by a global Tik Tok trend. The trend, backed by the fill-in-the-blank “someone's gotta hold it down in ___” phrase, found support from immigrants, mothers, and anyone who's just trying to fit in where they are. Additionally, rumors of a feature from KATSEYE’s Lara Raj on the track "Boys" gained widespread attention towards the album release. In support of PRIMA, Jergova’s label, Capitol Records (Polydor, internationally) backed the project with big-budget stunts such as lighting the Empire State Building up in pink on release day. Other strategies included an ADÉLA-branded pink wall directly across from Paul Smith’s iconic pink wall on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, which provides fans with a unique photo opportunity. The wall served as a tie in to the song "Ain't In LA," and matched ADÉLA’s current hair color. Overall, PRIMA provides something human; and it juxtaposes ADÉLA as this kind of underdog of an artist that you want to see succeed. There’s this rawness to it, it's so incoherent that there’s something for everyone and, by being accessible, does exactly what it needs to. It’s the first album from this woman who has been thrust into fame, trying to figure out who she is while living in the public eye. It’s almost like PRIMA is an appetizer, and all listeners look forward to the full course.

Oct. 1, 2026

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

11

Predators, Power, and The PRIMETIME Slot Jamie Calderon CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR *This article contains spoilers* Chris Hansen is a name that might forever live in infamy in American media. Even if you weren’t old enough to peep through the hidden cameras and watch Hansen sit down with alleged predators caught stalking their prey, you still probably know the name. Even self-proclaimed ‘predcatchers’ on TikTok are bound to face the Hansen comparisons, he’s inescapable. But he’s being pulled back into the spotlight by indie film company A24. A24 is known for their visually stunning, sensorily striking works of film. Many of their works leave you sitting in the theater mulling over what you watched long enough to see all the credits roll past. And the newly released PRIMETIME is no different. Story aside, Director

Lance Oppenheim and Cinematographer David Bolen have created a beautiful piece of color and composition that makes the audience look not at the spectacle of To Catch A Predator as entertainment, but at Hansen himself. PRIMETIME’s Hansen is a greedy, jealous individual who pushes the story along with his depraved fight for stardom. Every character around him is caught up in the whirlwind he creates as he claws his way to the top. People push their morals aside, ignore regulations, put themselves and others in danger, and lose themselves in Hansen's struggle. The movie is effectively a psychological thriller. Robert Pattinson portrays a suave and charismatic Hansen. But even as he charms an inconsequential man in first class, there's something that sits below the surface bleeding through his expression. There is an uncertainty in his “confidence”

Courtesy of Yahoo Entertainment Pattinson uncannily depicting the host of To Catch A Predator.

that contorts everything he says into this uncomfortable facade. When he interacts with news anchor and coworker Stone Philips (played by Bill Heck) after angrily staring at his newscast, you can see the thinly veiled jealousy. When he rehearses the lines from the predators over and over, it begins to sour the air. The film seems to ask us, who's the real predator? When we meet Hansen's family in the film, his wife is distraught by his affair, and his kids seem indifferent to him and his new prime time slot. When we meet Decoy Dan (played by Skylar Gisondo), it's clear he's not sure what he's gotten himself into. Especially when he's presented with explicit and uncomfortable moments by Hansen's catches. Del (another decoy, played by debuting actor and singer Phoebe Bridgers), is enraged by the actions of the vigilante group that Hansen works with, but her anger never moves Hansen. And even with all she does, Hansen's producer Andie Bender (played by Merrit Wever), is consistently ignored and pushed aside. Time and time again, we are presented with an almost devilish Hansen, chanting the words of those he aims to catch. Haunted by a demon that represents depravity and a need to satisfy producers who care only about views, Hansen and a wreckless team push a predator to suicide. The movie plays back t h e m o m e n t To C a t c h A Predator fell from grace. The moment when Texas District A t t o r n e y, B i l l C o n r a d t , committed suicide in a sting at his house in Terrell, Texas.

Robert Pattinson portrays TV star Chris Hansen. Conradt (played by Alex Winter) becomes Hansen’s white whale. The movie slips a bit into the supernatural with a ghost car, lots of flashing lights, and the demon close by as Hansen slips deeper and deeper into desperation. It all mounts to a head with the DA’s suicide, Decoy Dan realizes that everything he’s done has led to this, Bender still believes she can make something out of this and Hansen is left in the rain, crying. If PRIMETIME is about power, it’s about how power corrupts and how it destroys. And in real life, Hansen himself is not happy about his portrayal. Even going out of his way to buy ad space before the movie to promote his own streaming channel TruBlu. One of Hansen’s, and many critics, opinions is that PRIMETIME portrays a sinister version of the star. One that some claim portrays his work as wrong

Courtesy of IMDB

and sides with the predators. But what this misses is the movie is a commentary on Hansen and his motivations and where they fell short. Many of Hansen’s catches walked away without repercussions, everyone caught in the sting in Texas before they went to Conradt’s house were let go. While Hansen and his team r a i s e d a w a re n e s s f o r o n l i n e safety for children and worked to put faces to some dangerous predators, the movie asks, what was their motivation? What were they willing to risk for the fame and power that the show gave them? The film will be in theaters until Nov. 5. The film's box office numbers from it's opening weekend have already surpased it's $14.5 million budget at $19.2 million. Will you hit the theater for PRIMETIME?

Catch a Wicked Whittier Fright This Fall Aster Hjelm STAFF WRITER Fall is right around the corner, and with it comes an endless array of Halloween events in Whittier. From laid back movie nights to horrifying haunted houses, there’s something for everyone. Sifting through all the options can be difficult, so we did the research for you. The following is a list of events coming up this season. The Haunted Rose Located in Whittier, this haunted house is returning for its 10th year. It will be held on Oct. 30 and 31 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Located at 12116 Groveland Avenue, this attraction features a tangled maze of monsters returning from the city’s dark past. Haunted Whittier Ghost Tours Whittier native Jacob Caputo started these tours during the spring of 2020. Looking for an outdoor activity to get local residents outside, he combined his interests in the paranormal and history to create an experience that offers a historical background of the city and the horrors of its past. Tickets can be purchased online at

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter It's finally spooky season, time to get your frights in! hauntedwhittier.com for 31 dollars Man, who haunts the vintage the opportunity to see the home per person. storefronts on Greenleaf Avenue. of the last Mexican governor of This experience is divided The Historic District tour offers Alta California. Located in West up into four different tours, each a look at a preserved Edwardian- Whittier, his life unravels before being in a different district of era neighborhood. Simultaneously, your very eyes. Whittier. The Uptown Whittier stories of a true-crime serial killer Halloweentown Movie Showing tour allows you to see some of the and untimely deaths are told. The Located at Penn Park, next to city’s historic storefronts, churches, Museum Flashlight tour is held the Whittier campus, the city hall and restaurants established in the at the Whittier Historical Society will host a movie showing for all 1890s. The historical landscape Museum, home to artifacts from a ages on Oct. 10. Starting at 6 p.m., of Uptown is home to a Whittier rich past. Recently added, the Pio the pre-event offers free crafts, folktale, the infamous Shadow Pico Mansion tour offers locals lawn games, and music. The movie

will start at dusk. Admission is free and one dollar concessions will be available. Spooktacular 5k Each year, locals register for a 5k with the Whittier Community Center. The registration fee is 54 dollars and regular registration closes on Oct. 11. The race will be held at 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 31. Registered runners will receive a free breakfast, refreshments, and goodie bags. Cash prizes will be given to the finishers in overall male and female. Costumes are not mandatory, but encouraged, as long as they’re family friendly. The Annual Los Muertos Festival The festival will be held in Uptown Whittier on Oct. 11. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event offers live entertainment, a car show, costume contest, artisan booths, and food. No matter how you prefer to celebrate, Whittier offers its residents a wide array of options throughout the month of October. We encourage you to get out and see what the city has to offer. Learn its history, meet the residents who keep tradition alive, and get involved in the community.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Oct. 1, 2026

Poet Playhouse

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5 New York Islander’s defenseman, Matthew 6 Extinguish a candle 7 911 responder 18 19 8 Starring Jeff Goldblum as Zeus 20 21 9 Hockey goons 10 Aspirations 22 23 24 25 11 Fire-type Legendary Pokemon with no evolution 26 27 12 Securities for the payment of debt, 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 legally 13 “The Secret History” author, 36 37 38 Donna 18 In or out 39 40 41 42 19 New Orleans PBS 43 44 45 46 22 Noticed in awe 23 American public health agency 47 48 49 50 24 “… Lie” by Chalk FarM 27 Christian university in Florida, 51 52 53 54 55 abbr. 56 57 58 59 60 29 Aroma 30 San Jose Sharks Celebrini’s off61 62 season activities 32 Catchy song 63 64 65 33 Sonal 34 Ruffed Grouse Society, abbr. 41 See 38-Down 35 Professional hockey league born Across from the National Hockey 42 LA youth soccer league, abbr. 1 Not a lad but… Association 43 12th most populated city in 6 Cold fake-out? 38 Where players serve their PIM Germany 10 Yiddish money sentences. With 41-Across 47 Digit down under? 14 Administrator of triage 40 “Not” in Old English 48 Newspaper content 15 UAE’s southern neighbor 41 Artist behind “anything i want (fire 51 Hockey 5-on-4 16 Luxury clothing, or sailboat in alarm)” 56 Rule with exceptions in hockey Hebrew 44 Evades a defenseman 57 Small channel to a Canadian 17 Canucks in the playoffs 45 River that winds through Russia, 58 Check mark, apple, or mermaid e.g. 20 Likely, on an envelope? abbr. China, and Kazakhstan 61 Nike, Iris, and Phoebe e.g. 21 If it’s green, it’s people? 46 Any of the Cornell 7 62 King of the savanna 22 Hockey helmet? 48 Melbourne-based contemporary 63 Neutral cheese? artist 25 What did the suffragettes, hippies, 64 Pro hockey league with 4 new and goths do? 49 Poop in Tagalog teams 26 Flat circles 50 Post-point performance 65 “Back in my day” 28 Stick-based sport 51 Enemy Soviet jets in Top Gun 31 The shrill sound of a girly reunion Down 52 Bovine in solitude 32 Arena or rink, in slang 53 Roman spider nest 1 American Medical Association 36 Ricketts, Steinbeck’s marine 54 Formerly known as ASSE, abbr. abbr. biologist pal 55 Confined by a blue line on the ice 2 Gaston’s boy friend 37 Crisis cubicle? abbr. 59 Bonefish’s true name 3 Tibeto-Burman indigenous 38 Ancient leavening method “mountain dweller” 60 The fictional setting of John 39 Pine or yearn Norman’s pulp novel series 4 My mother’s daughter, for short

Courtesy of quontology

Courtesy of Venus Ate A Fly